Is this book appropriate for a 12-year-old?

It is best for ages 13 and up. While the physical romance stays clean (kisses and hand-holding), the story contains profanity (including F-words) and explores heavy themes like Islamophobia, racism, and biphobia.

What content warnings should I know about?

The main content topics include subtle racism, microaggressions, biphobia, and toxic friendships. There is also brief underage drinking by side characters at a party and occasional strong language.

Does the romance get explicit?

No. The romance focuses on emotional trust and shared vulnerability. Physical affection stays light, keeping the narrative centered on personal growth.

Why is the setting in Dublin notable?

The Irish setting offers a distinct look at the South Asian diaspora outside North America, showing how Bengali cultural expectations interact with life in modern Dublin.

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

bookYoung Adult Fiction

86%

WISE Score

Two Bengali teens in Dublin fake-date to fix their social lives, colliding headfirst with toxic friends, microaggressions, and very real feelings.

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

book

Young Adult Fiction

86%

WISE Score

Two Bengali teens in Dublin fake-date to fix their social lives, colliding headfirst with toxic friends, microaggressions, and very real feelings.

Jump to

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Adiba Jaigirdar takes the classic fake-dating rom-com setup and roots it in something grounded and emotional. Set in Dublin, the story follows easygoing Hani and academically driven Ishu as they strike a deal: pretend to date so Hani can prove her bisexuality to her invalidating friends, and so Ishu can boost her popularity to win head girl.

While the romance develops naturally, the book hits hardest when examining how peer groups quietly marginalize people. The microaggressions, Islamophobia, and biphobia Hani faces from her supposed best friends feel painfully accurate. It is an engaging read for teens looking for a contemporary romance with real substance.

Age Fit

Best for readers 13 and up who enjoy contemporary YA romance and can engage with realistic depictions of high school social conflict.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Explores toxic friendships and peer pressure, but grounds the story in personal growth, honesty, and genuine emotional connection.

Imaginative

Elevates a classic fake-dating trope with strong character perspectives and a fresh Dublin setting.

Safe

Contains profanity (including F-words) and realistic microaggressions, but no explicit content or graphic violence.

Enriching

Provides valuable insight into cultural expectations, biphobia, intersectional identity, and standing up to bad friends.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Intersectional rep done right: Tackles the intersection of Bengali culture, Islam, and queer identity in Dublin without feeling preachy.
Fake-dating trope elevated: Uses a classic YA rom-com setup to dig into authentic social anxiety and academic pressure.
Sharp critique of toxic friendships: Shows how subtle biphobia and microaggressions erode high school relationships.
Strong character contrast: Easygoing Hani balances Ishu's guarded, razor-sharp focus on academic success.

⚠

What to Watch For

Casual racism and biphobia: The plot kicks off when Hani's friends invalidate her sexuality, and subtle microaggressions run throughout the story.
Language and social conflict: Includes strong language (a few F-bombs), lying to parents to keep up the fake relationship, and mild side-character drinking.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Hani stayed with a friend group that constantly undermined her identity?"
"How did Ishu and Hani handle family expectations differently?"
"Have you ever seen someone's identity get invalidated by peers the way Hani's was?"

Deep Dive

Why This YA Romance Hits Different

Most fake-dating stories rely on lighthearted misunderstandings and easy obstacles. Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating takes the setup seriously, placing it in Dublin and giving both main characters clear, conflicting motivations. Hani is desperate for acceptance from a friend group that subtly undermines her, while Ishu treats popularity like a problem to solve for her resume.

What makes the novel work is its focus on realistic social friction. The conflict isn't cartoonish bullying; it's the quiet, insidious microaggressions from friends who pretend to care until someone steps outside their expectations.

The book shows how hard it is to unlearn people-pleasing when staying silent feels safer than standing alone.

For parents, this is a solid entry point into discussing how toxic friend dynamics operate in high school. The language is realistic for teens (including profanity), and the cultural backdrop of Bengali Irish teens adds a necessary perspective to the YA shelf.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Related Guides

A Parent’s Guide to 'The Henna Wars': Age Ratings and Identity

Everything you need to know about the LGBTQ+ representation, cultural themes, and maturity level of Adiba Jaigirdar’s popular YA novel.

Writing about Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating? Put this WISE score on your site